Uma Shankar Shukla graduated (B.Com) from Delhi University. He started teaching Astrology in the School of Astrology. Uma won a gold medal in 1997 in Astrology, having accurately predicted many events. He is skilled in providing health tips from Yoga and Meditation.
He is now working with many newspapers and magazines in India, providing articles on Astrology, feng-shui, Numerology, Ancient Science, and Meditation etc. Uma enjoys writing, reading and listening to music. He has been married since 1998 and is a vital contributor to our sister site, TruthStar.com.

The Hidden Magic of Gemsthe subtle power of stones

We, as human beings, receive vital rays – subtle cosmic radiation from planets that influence our attitudes, behaviour, and environment. This planetary radiation has a definite impact on our ever-changing psychological dispositions. Stones and gems, coming into direct contact with the skin, exercise an electromagnetic influence over our cells. This article by our own Vedic astrologer, Uma Shankar Shukla, explores the ways in which our lives can be affected by the subtle power of stones.

Utter the word astrogems, and be ready to be labelled as "that helpless lamb who believes in that misleading thing called astrology" by the cynic who would also deride astrology as "fated pronouncement of stars". But surge a wee bit beyond the mist of pre-conceived notions, shed that cloak of so-called "scientific temper", and what have you? Reasons not to blithely dismiss what were first endorsed in this holy nation: astrogems – known as jyotish gems in ancient India.

Common Sense About Gems

Have you noticed that, when our friends laugh (irrespective of whether or not we have understood the joke they are laughing at) we tend to laugh with them? However, we may not be inclined to join the laughter of a stranger sitting next to our table in a restaurant. Ever wondered why it is so? The infectious laughter occurs because of our resonant empathy (common resonance frequency) with our friends. In simpler terms, our friends are on the same wavelength as us.

Power of Prayer

Similarly, when we pray, we send out appreciation, or a request for some quality to be improved, or a situation to learn from and, at times, we are amazed at how wonderfully the universal intelligence responds. However, look at it in perspective, and things will fall in place. What are we doing when we pray? We are actually resonating with the abundance of divine love and goodwill that is readily available to everyone, and our prayers act as channels through which the love and goodwill flow to our near ones and us.

Did you know that Prince Charles speaks to plants, and that plants respond by bending and other ways? It is all a matter of flow of energy from the endearing one to the plants. Those who practice positive affirmations like chanting of mantras will testify the wonderful results of such exercises on the body, mind, and spirit.

Now, take a step further back, and let's move on from smaller things to the huge celestial bodies. Isn't it true that the Moon's major phases have such strong effects that we are consciously able to experience them? Sunspots, although of minor astrological significance, have also been shown to significantly affect us. Thus, the basis of all our problems in life lies in our receptivity (resonance). As our receptivity can either be negative or positive, reactive or proactive, we must strive to become magnets that attract only the positive aspects. We must increase the positive aspect of our receptivity.

Electromagnetic Resonance and Vital Rays:

Likewise, we can benefit from the invisible influences if we received the correct blend of radiation that is helpful to our particular electromagnetic 'signature' (corresponding to our karmic weaknesses and strengths). The real significance of karma is not in what happens to us, but in how we react to it. And the greatest challenge of life is to react to events in a positive way. This is where gems come into action. When we wear the right kind of gems, they produce helpful electromagnetic rays.